Police locate toddler missing from mobile home park

Tuesday

Aug 20, 2013 at 6:28 PM

The 2 year old was found unharmed two hours later, about a half-mile from his home.

Karen Botakaren.bota@sentinel-standard.com

A 2-year-old boy who slipped out of his home while his parents and grandparents slept was found by authorities unharmed, two hours later and about a half-mile from home.The Ionia County Sheriff's Office was called to the Hidden Valley Community on East Stage Road around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday after the child's family reportedly awoke to discover their toddler missing. He apparently had removed the child lock device from the doorknob and got outside, according to the parents, said Ionia County Undersheriff Charlie Noll.The boy was last seen by a neighbor, who saw the child chasing ducks in the community's park.The department's K-9 officer was called in, as well as the officers from the Ionia Department of Public Safety.Around 11:20 a.m., as the search perimeter was getting set up, IDPS Sgt. Mike Ketchum and Officer Kevin Heinlein located the missing boy on Smokey Row using their department's all-terrain vehicle. The child had some abrasions and was dirty, but in good condition, said Noll."He had no serious injuries, but was a little shaken up," he added. "His parents were going to take him to the hospital to be checked out."IDPS Director Troy Thomas praised property owner Roger Hull for his assistance."He was a huge asset by riding with (Ketchum and Heinlein) and guiding them through the back of his property," said Thomas.Noll noted that extra precautions should be taken by parents and other caregivers when children are very young and learning to walk."Always remember: with your children being inquisitive, energetic and out there wanting to experience new things, it may cause them to wander off," he said. "Be as knowledgeable as you can and know what's going on."Noll also encouraged parents and caregivers to be in contact with those who live around them for additional sets of eyes in an emergency."That's part of living in a close community. Make friends, acknowledge neighbors, and let them know, if they are out and notice a child at a young age to contact the parents," said Noll. "Work together, like a child Neighborhood Watch. There doesn't have to be a criminal intent there (to have a Neighborhood Watch)."Follow Karen Bota on Twitter @KarenB_ISS.